Cultivation of Brussels Sprouts in India; A Full Information Guide

December 11, 2020 Agrovista

Brussels Sprouts Cultvation in India — Brussels Sprouts

Cultivation of Brussels Sprouts in India: A Full Information Guide

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Brussels sprouts ( Brassica oleracea L.Var. gemmifera De) belong to the family Cruciferae. Brussels sprouts are hardy, long-season crops and very closely resemble the cole crops. This vegetable crop is grown in the cool hill region. The sprouts or heads resemble miniature cabbages. It is borne in the axial of leaves along and around the main stock progressively from the bottom upwards. It looks like a miniature cabbage and grows to 60 to 90 cm. tall.
The crop gets its name from the city of Brussels in Belgium, where this crop has been grown for several hundred years. This plant is of obscure European origin and was possibly grown in Belgium as early as 1200.

Nutritive Value of Brussels Sprout;

The nutritive value of Brussels sprouts per 100 g of an edible portion is given below:

Serving Size: 100 g		DV
Calories	43 kcal	0%
Total Carbohydrate	9 g	3%
Dietary Fiber	3.8 g	15.00%
Sugar	2.2 g
Protein	2.8 g	5%
Choclestrol	0	0
Saturated fat	0.1 g
Protein	3.4 g	6%
Sodium	25 mg	1%
Potassium	309 mg	11%
Iron		7%
Vitamin C		141%
Vitamin B6		10%
Magnesium		5%
Vitamin D		0%
Cobalamin		0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Climatic Requirements for Brussels Sprout Cultivation:

Brussels sprouts grow well in the cool, humid regions. It gives the best yield if it has grown in the temperature range of 15-18 degrees Celsius

Soil & its preparation for Brussels Sprouts cultivation;

It can grow on all types of soil. But sandy loam soil with a pH range between 6 – 6.8 is more suitable for its cultivation.
Land should be prepared by 5 or 6 ploughings followed by planking. Planking is essential for making the soil pulverized and leveled.

Important Varieties of Brussels Sprouts:

(a) Varieties are classified according to height.
(1) Dwarf (below 50 cm): early dwarf, dwarf gem, catskill, and dwarf perfection.
(2) Intermediate (50 to 60 cm): Long Island Half-Dwarf, Convent Garden, Dalkeith, and Paris Market.
(3) Tall Caboue 50 cm: Amagar Market and Danish Prize.
(b) Varieties are classified according to the life cycle
(1) Early varieties: Top Score, Peet Gynt, and Passiful.
(2) Late varieties: Lanocolar, Sunline, and Goldmine.
(3) Hybrid varieties: King Arthur, Peer Gynt, Craton, Merton, Rola cross, Uremo Post, Topgrade No. 6977, Topscore, Trigomox, Berner Market (Swiss hybrid), Jade cross (Japan hybrid), Lanceolat, Orion, etc.
Descriptions of some important varieties are as follows:
1. Jade Cross E: The sprouts of this variety are big and can be removed more easily from the stalk than with the mother strain. It takes 90 days to mature after the transplant.

2. Royal Marvel: The sprout arrangements of this variety are very compact. This variety is highly productive and is resistant to ‘bottom rot’ and ‘tip burn’. It is ready to harvest after 85 days of transplanting.
3. Bubbles: This variety is hardy and can tolerate warm conditions. Importantly, it shows the rust resistance and its maturity period is about 80-85 days.
4. Rubine: It is a novel variety. The sprouts give a reddish appearance. It is a late-maturing variety and takes about 105 days to harvest.
5. Oliver: The sprouts of this variety are attractive in shape and can be detached easily from the stalk. Its maturity is about 85 days after the transplant.
6 . Prince Marvel: The sprouts of this variety are compact & sweet. It is ready to harvest after 90 days of transplanting

Sowing of Brussels sprouts seeds;

(A) Time of sowing seed. Brussels sprouts are commonly propagated by seeds. But vegetative propagation (Such as cutting, tissue culture, etc.) is also successful. Seeds are sown in a nursery bed in July-August. In some places, drilling the seeds directly in the main field is also advocated.

(B) Seed rate. 40 gm/acre.
Transplanting
The seedlings are transplanted when they become 15-20 cm tall. The seedlings are transplanted with 50 cm spacing.

Manuring in Brussels Sprouts; Fertilizers scheduled per acre:

Nitrogen: 10-20 kg. Phosphorus 60-70 kg Potassium: 60-72 kg. Too high a level of nitrogen produced coarse open spouts.

Intercultural operation in Brussels Sprouts ;

Two or three hoeing-cum-weedings should be done to remove the harmful weeds as well as to make the soil porous, which permits better aeration and thus promotes root growth. The terminal buds or lower leaves are often removed to get good and early sprouts. Removal of the terminal bud produces larger sprouts, but the number is decreased. The yield may also reduce if the lower leaves are removed.

Irrigation in Brussels Sprouts;

The field may be irrigated when the soil is seen as deficient in moisture. Higher yields were obtained through irrigation. But waterlogging killed the roots very rapidly. Brussels sprouts rotated with pea and celery help in checking club root fungi (Plasmodiphora brassicae).

Harvesting of Brussels Sprouts;

The Brussels sprouts take about 120 days to form sprouts in North India. The sprouts should be harvested when they reach the maximum size and are firm. Delay in harvesting leads to the bolting of the sprouts.

Brussels sprouts are stored at 0.5°C for three to five weeks.

Yield of Brussels sprouts:

Yield depends on the type of variety grown and the cultural practices adopted in the fields. The average yield in the first harvesting is about 16-18 Q/Acre and 25-30 Q/Acre in subsequent harvestings

Read further:

Cultivation of Celery in India: A Full Information Guide

Cultivation of Sprouting Broccoli in India; A Full Informational Guide